Farnham U16s welcome Reigate for a friendly

A glorious morning at Wilkinson Way saw a visit from our friends at Reigate Rugby Club for a training match.

A Half term week friendly is always difficult from the point of view of selection, with many of the usual faces away, but it provides an opportunity for some players to play out of the comfort zone of their usual position and for new players to make their mark away from the heat of formal competition. An ideal situation for a sunny October Sunday.

The boys were up for three 20 minute "Thirds" and after a stretching warm up they emerged from Changing room 1 at HQ to take the field. For a mixed side of U16s with a sprinkling of U15s for good measure, Reigate delivered a full squad of players and half a dozen Subs whereas Farnham, shorter of numbers than expected, only had 17 available. The starting 15 were expecting to dominate but not only did Reigate have numbers to spare, they were not short of skills either. Farnham started a little sleepily and whilst the initial signs were good it was Reigate who were first to the scoreboard. This wasn't in the script. What was going on? The boys weren't communicating and tackles were being missed left right and centre. The defence narrowed to compensate for the lack of coordination and quick ball to the Reigate wing soon saw a try in the far corner.

After the restart, there was more of the same. The big reigate pack, many of whom were apparently U15s playing up for the day (They must put something in the water in Reigate!) were pushing our boys off the ball. The Farnham players were all acting as individuals and soon enough another try leaked through the sieve. 2-0 down and it didn't look like it would get any easier. The boys gathered behind the posts whilst the conversion was taken and captain Ben Seymour took control. He must have had the hairdryer out because at 2-0 down the boys began to come together and act as a team. Finally a Farnham Try was scored (apologies, I failed to spot the scorer) which Finlay Anderson converted. 2-1 to Reigate at the end of the first 20 was a fair result.

After a swift team talk from Sam and a couple of key substitutions to increase the firepower, the second third began and it was as if a different team had taken to the pitch. Suddenly Tackles were made, rucks were formed and turnovers were won. It was as if the volume knob had been turned up from 2 to 11. Communication started, The next job was identified and executed, the defence went from a being bit sieve like to resolutely impenetrable. The scrums, which Reigate had dominated in the first 20, had to become uncontested to protect the Reigate forwards after the now suddenly powerful Farnham 8 pushed them off the ball for three scrums in a row.

In an incredible run of play, the first Farnham score of the second third came from Toby Richards, followed swiftly by Josh Lavery who was playing like a man possessed. Next came Chris Ratcliffe, who gassed his way past the defence down the try line to score and then another from strong newly signed prop forward Kyle Drablow followed by a second for Chris Ratcliffe. Tom HT was next with a super score in the left corner, shortly before the whistle blew to mark the end of the 2nd 20 minute period. 6 tries scored in the second 20 minute period without a response from Reigate was definitely a more satisfying scoreline to take into the break. 7-2 Farnham.

The boys were looking sharp now and soon after the start of the final third, Tom Lee whose work rate behind the scenes had made such a difference, got onto the score sheet with a strong carry and a beautiful run down the line to cross the whitewash. Tom even managed to convert 2 from 2 much to his Father's consternation. What do you mean that boy can't kick!

What was by this time a rare error, then let Reigate in to score their third try but Tom Lee soon made amends with his second try of the day. Finlay Anderson then found a fabulous interception to score and he even converted his own try just for good measure, his boot having been unerring all game.

With the final score at 10 tries to 3, all that was left was to congratulate Reigate for the scare they had delivered in the first 20 and for playing their hearts out in the rest of the match right up to the final whistle.

Sam Foskett summarised during the team talk at the end of the game. It had been an excellent opportunity to compare the first 20 with the last 40 - What was missing in the first 20 was dramatically fixed in the last 40. Direct running, great support play and vocal communications , with a total change of attitude delivered a completely different result. Well done boys.

With the boys heading soon for their first Waterfall Cup match vs Dorking, this had been a very useful training match. Once again, many thanks to the Reigate team and their parents for making the trip out to Farnham. Your boys played with passion which was great to see.

Podium Points were awarded as follows:

3) Aston Ulisse for his work rate
2) Josh Lavery for doing a top job after his battlefield promotion to hooker
1) Max Williams for making such a great contribution on his debut for the club.